Magnetic field interactions of smartwatches and portable electronic devices with CIEDs - Did we open a Pandora's box?

2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 713

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Magnetic field interactions of smartwatches and portable electronic devices with CIEDs - Did we open a Pandora's box? Badertscher P, Vergne C, Féry C, Mannhart D, Quirin T, Osswald S, Kühne M, Sticherling C, Knecht S, Pascal J. Magnetic field interactions of smartwatches and portable electronic devices with CIEDs - Did we open a Pandora's box? Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2022 Sep 8;43:101122. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101122. Abstract Introduction: Magnetic interaction of portable electronic devices (PEDs), such as state-of-the art mobile phones, with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been reported. The aim of the study was to quantify the magnetic fields of latest generation smartwatches and other PEDs and to evaluate and predict their risk of CIED interactions. Methods: High resolution magnetic field characterization of five smartwatches (Apple Watch 6/7, Fitbit Sense, Samsung Galaxy 3, Withings Scanwatch) was performed using a novel magnetic field camera. Ex vivo measurements of the minimal safety distance (MSD) at which no mode switch can be observed were performed between 11 PEDs and six representative CIEDs. Results: Maximal 1 mT distances ranged between 10 mm (Withings) and 19 mm (Fitbit and AppleWatch), and 1 mT volumes between 6 cm3 (Withings) and 19 cm3 (Fitbit). All these measures were observed only for the back side of the smartwatches. While most smartwatches with measured 1 mT distance < 15 mm posed low ex vivo interaction within a distance of < 10 mm, PEDs such as electronic pens and in-ear-headphones with measured 1 mT distance > 15 mm showed device interaction up to > 15 mm. Linear regression analysis showed a linear relationship of the MSD with 1 mT distance (B coefficient: 0.46; 95 %-CI: 0.25-0.67, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Smartwatches are safer compared to other PEDs such as electronic pens or in-ear headphones with regards to CIED interaction. With a standardized magnetic field camera, the risk assessment of CIED interaction of novel PEDs is feasible. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

High-resolution magnetic field mapping of five smartwatches found maximal 1 mT distances ranging from 10 mm (Withings) to 19 mm (Fitbit and Apple Watch), observed only on the back side. Ex vivo testing between 11 PEDs and six representative CIEDs found most smartwatches with 1 mT distance <15 mm had low interaction within <10 mm, while electronic pens and in-ear headphones with 1 mT distance >15 mm showed interactions up to >15 mm; MSD was linearly related to 1 mT distance (B=0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.67, p<0.001).

Outcomes measured

Magnetic field strength/characteristics (e.g., 1 mT distance, 1 mT volume) of smartwatches and other PEDs
Ex vivo CIED interaction outcomes (mode switch)
Minimal safety distance (MSD) at which no mode switch observed
Association between MSD and 1 mT distance (linear regression)

Limitations

Ex vivo measurements (not in vivo/clinical outcomes)
Frequency/RF exposure metrics (e.g., MHz, SAR) not reported; focus is on magnetic field interactions
Minimal safety distance and interaction outcomes depend on the specific PED and CIED models tested

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "smartwatches and portable electronic devices (PEDs)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic field strength/characteristics (e.g., 1 mT distance, 1 mT volume) of smartwatches and other PEDs",
    "Ex vivo CIED interaction outcomes (mode switch)",
    "Minimal safety distance (MSD) at which no mode switch observed",
    "Association between MSD and 1 mT distance (linear regression)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "High-resolution magnetic field mapping of five smartwatches found maximal 1 mT distances ranging from 10 mm (Withings) to 19 mm (Fitbit and Apple Watch), observed only on the back side. Ex vivo testing between 11 PEDs and six representative CIEDs found most smartwatches with 1 mT distance <15 mm had low interaction within <10 mm, while electronic pens and in-ear headphones with 1 mT distance >15 mm showed interactions up to >15 mm; MSD was linearly related to 1 mT distance (B=0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.67, p<0.001).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Ex vivo measurements (not in vivo/clinical outcomes)",
    "Frequency/RF exposure metrics (e.g., MHz, SAR) not reported; focus is on magnetic field interactions",
    "Minimal safety distance and interaction outcomes depend on the specific PED and CIED models tested"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "smartwatch",
    "portable electronic devices",
    "magnetic field",
    "CIED",
    "pacemaker",
    "implantable cardioverter-defibrillator",
    "mode switch",
    "minimal safety distance",
    "Apple Watch",
    "Fitbit",
    "Samsung Galaxy Watch",
    "Withings Scanwatch",
    "in-ear headphones",
    "electronic pen"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "smart-devices-wearables",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Study quantifies magnetic fields and interaction risk of smartwatches and other portable electronics."
    },
    {
      "slug": "medical-implants-cieds",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Evaluates ex vivo interactions and safety distances between PEDs and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101122
PubMed: Not supplied

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